octameter

[ok-tam-i-ter]

adjective

1. consisting of eight measures or feet.

noun

1. Also an octameter verse.

octameter

/ ɒkˈtæmɪtə /

noun

1. prosody a verse line consisting of eight metrical feet

Word History and Origins

Origin of octameter¹

1840–50; < Late Latin < Greek oktámetros (adj.), equivalent to okta- octa- + métr ( on ) -meter + -os adj. suffix

Example Sentences

The former is trochaic—the latter is octameter acatalectic, alternating with heptameter catalectic repeated in the refrain of the fifth verse, and terminating with tetrameter catalectic.

From Project Gutenberg

Verses of seven and eight feet are rare; they are called heptameter and octameter, respectively.

From Project Gutenberg